The change of seasons is just around the corner and with that comes the drop in temperature. That brings on the dreaded extra layers of a fall or winter coat, and you may need help with your child with autism. While Florida is sometimes spared this for a little while – it inevitably comes – and if your child has issues with temperature regulations or doesn’t always want the extra bulk, this time can be especially daunting.
Here are a few tips to ease the transition:
- Offer Multiple Choices:
Sometimes feeling like a child has a little bit of control can help ease the frustration of wearing something they might not be so excited about. Offer a few coat options and let them choose between the suggestions to give them a little independence. - Try Different Fabrics:
This may seem like an obvious choice, but if your child with autism is easily overwhelmed by sensory inputs, they may absolutely refuse to wear a wool coat. In this case, it could be the fabric at fault. Try cotton blends, fleece, jersey, silk, etc. until you come across something a bit more tolerable. - Buy Multiples:
When you find something that works, buy it a few sizes up as well. As your child grows, you will have their favorite coat available to them for years to come and really keep those daily frustrations down as you rush out the door. You may also choose to buy a coat with extendable sleeves, like Columbia’s OUTGROWN line, so your child with autism can continue to wear the same coat for an extra season as they grow. - Practice Makes Perfect:
Try to ease your child into wearing layers. Try visiting indoor play spaces, cold movie theaters, taking a walk on a rainy day, or touring an aquarium where the temperatures are usually low. You can even start doing this throughout the summer and continue directly into fall so that your child has an opportunity to consistently wear a coat. This may also help them adjust to wearing other accessories that go along with colder temperatures: close-toed shoes, socks, scarves. Preparation will keep these items from being something to dread, instead making them something that your child expects to wear continuously when the time is right.